On June 14, Cardinal Péter Erdő introduced the official hymn and short video of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress at a press conference held in Hungary.
The video, which tells the conversion story of 3 different young people in Budapest, is already available on YouTube.
The background music is the old-new hymn of IEC2021, a refreshed version of the original song has written for the Eucharistic Congress in 1938 — the last time Budapest hosted such an event. Organizers of the congress have launched an intensive social media campaign on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share the video with the faithful around the world.
Cardinal Erdő also introduced the 12 IEC Ambassadors who aim to be witnesses of the Eucharist while having outstanding talents and careers. Among the ambassadors, there’re famous artists, musicians, singers, and poets.
Pope Francis and pilgrims from five continents are expected to take part at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest.
Budapest will host the event from September 5-12. The Holy Father is expected to celebrate the closing mass on 12 September 12, organizers of the event announced.
As COVID-19 infection cases drop across the region, and the numbers of vaccinated people steadily rise, the organizers of the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest are becoming increasingly hopeful as the event postponed due to the pandemic in 2020 enters rapidly in the very last phase of preparations. The organizers prepare for an offline Congress, where the closing Mass on September 12 will be celebrated by Pope Francis in Heroes’ Square, one of the iconic sights of the Hungarian capital. The visit of the Holy Father sends a strong message as it was 21 years ago the last time when the supreme pontiff, at that time Saint Pope John Paul II, attended an International Eucharistic Congress – in Rome. The Holy See usually is represented by the apostolic nuncio or legate at such global events, and the Pope generally addresses the pilgrims in video messages.
The Congress starts on 5 September in Budapest’s Heroes’ Square with a grandiose opening ceremony including the performance of a choir of one thousand singers. This event will also be the opening mass of all Hungarian Catholic schools and a real Eucharistic Celebration, as vast numbers are going to partake of the First Communion on that day.
The main venue for the Congress’ events will be the Hungexpo Exhibition and Fair Center from 6 to 10 September. Testimonials will be given and lectures delivered in addition to the holy masses. Lecturers and pilgrims are expected to arrive from five continents.
